If you’re looking to step back to a time when the American landscape was untouched and wild, head to southeast South Dakota. There you’ll find a remarkable parcel of land that was recently added to Missouri National Recreational River:  a 676-acre property on James River Island, downstream from Yankton, South Dakota.  

The $1.6 million purchase protects the largest private tract on the island, enhancing public recreational access for boating, hiking, and hunting within the park. The National Park Service has worked for decades to acquire the property from a private landowner. The acquisition was a joint effort between NPS and the National Park Trust, with funding support from the National Park Foundation.  

James River Island displays remarkable natural and historic vestiges of the untamed, natural Missouri River habitat. The island is home to old-growth cottonwood forests and native prairie, both of which are rapidly disappearing across the region. It provides vital nesting habitat for federally endangered species, including the least tern and the piping plover. 

In addition to the unique habitat, the property also carries historic significance. Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery noted the confluence of the James River and surrounding channel islands in their journals when the expedition passed through the area on August 27th, 1804, and again on September 2nd, 1806.

Under NPS stewardship, the island will remain undeveloped, offering low-impact recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and paddling, while ensuring the land’s ecological integrity is maintained. Access to the island is only by boat (kayak, canoe, or motorboat).

Located in southeast South Dakota and northeast Nebraska, the Missouri National Recreational River protects over 100 free-flowing miles of the Missouri River and several of its tributaries. Enjoy this short introductory video about the park, or dive even deeper on its YouTube channel.